Method for detection of specimen region, apparatus for detection of specimen region, and program for detection of specimen region

Abstract

A method for detecting the specimen region includes the first step for the first region detecting unit to detect the first region which is a region with contrast in the first image of an object for observation which is photographed under illumination with visible light, the second step for the second region detecting unit to detect the second region which is a region with contrast in the second image of the object for observation which is photographed under illumination with ultraviolet light, and the third step for the specimen region defining unit to define, based on the first and second regions mentioned above, the specimen region where there exists the specimen in the object for observation.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method, comprising:
 detecting a first region and first position reference information, the first region being a region with contrast in a first image of an object for observation which is photographed under illumination with visible light, the first position reference information relating to a position of one or more features of the first image, wherein detecting the first region comprises detecting at least one border of the first region using one or more digital filters; 
 detecting a second region and second position reference information, the second region being a region with contrast in a second image of said object for observation which is photographed under illumination with ultraviolet light, the second position reference information relating to a position of one or more features of the second image, wherein detecting the second region comprises detecting at least one border of the second region using one or more digital filters; 
 defining, based at least in part on the first and second regions and the first and second position reference information, a specimen region, encompassing the first region and the second region, where there exists a specimen in the object for observation; and 
 in response to the defining of the specimen region, causing at least a portion of the specimen region to be photographed. 
 
     
     
       2. The method for detecting the specimen region according to  claim 1 , wherein the causing comprises causing the at least a portion of the specimen region to be photographed under a microscope. 
     
     
       3. The method for detecting the specimen region according to  claim 1 , wherein said specimen is a living tissue containing amino acids. 
     
     
       4. The method for detecting the specimen region according to  claim 3 , wherein said specimen is an immunohistochemically stained specimen. 
     
     
       5. An apparatus comprising:
 at least one processor programmed to:
 detect a first region and first position reference information, the first region being a region with contrast in a first image of an object for observation which is photographed under illumination with visible light, the first position reference information relating to a position of one or more features of the first image, wherein detection of the first region comprises detection of at least one border of the first region using one or more digital filters; 
 detect a second region and second position reference information, the second region being a region with contrast in a second image of said object for observation which is photographed under illumination with ultraviolet light, the second position reference information relating to a position of one or more features of the second image, wherein detection of the second region comprises detection of at least one border of the second region using one or more digital filters; 
 define, based at least in part on the first and second regions and the first and second position reference information, a specimen region, encompassing the first region and the second region, where there exists a specimen in the object for observation; and 
 in response to the defining of the specimen region, causing at least a portion of the specimen region to be photographed. 
 
 
     
     
       6. At least one storage device having encoded thereon instructions which, when executed, perform a method comprising:
 detecting a first region and first position reference information, the first region being a region with contrast in a first image of an object for observation which is photographed under illumination with visible light, the first position reference information relating to a position of one or more features of the first image, wherein detecting the first region comprises detecting at least one border of the first region using one or more digital filters; 
 detecting a second region and second position reference information, the second region being a region with contrast in a second image of said object for observation which is photographed under illumination with ultraviolet light, the second position reference information relating to a position of one or more features of the second image, wherein detecting the second region comprises detecting at least one border of the second region using one or more digital filters; 
 defining, based at least in part on the first and second regions and the first and second position reference information, a specimen region, encompassing the first region and the second region, where there exists a specimen in the object for observation; and 
 in response to the defining of the specimen region, causing at least a portion of the specimen region to be photographed.